Is anything wrong with this spell?

[starrykitten]

Hi everybody--

I want to make sure that the following spell sounds sound, ethical, etc. It's not against my tradition to use menstrual blood in magick, though I haven't done it before.

Is there anything wrong with dressing a black candle with menstrual blood during a waning moon and consecrating the candle to protect me from that what would cause me harm? I'll specify obstacles of which I'd like to be free and burn the candle down. I don't have anyone in my pantheon who is particularly bloodthirsty, so I'm not concerned about that. I think I've seen blood used for banishing and protecting. I need some protection now and since it's that time, it seems like a good thing to incorporate.

Anything I should change?

Thanks! :)

[Garm]

I once made a runewand consecreted with my then GF's fluids and gave it to her.

When she used it she reported seing triangles of light and telekinetic effects.

She was pleased.

[Rowan Darkmoon]

No, I don't think there's anything wrong with it. If you're worried about ethics, I would think that would come in more when you're visualizing what you would like to be protected from and how you would like this protection to come about. ;)

In my experience blood is particularly useful when doing protection spells, and since it's your own blood I think that it would be ethically sound if you are concerned about not harming anything.

[starrykitten]

Neat! Good to know!

I found some great witch bottle recipes too using the fluids. :)

[Sage Rainsong]

I don't see anything wrong with it. If you are really worried about hurting someone in the process then just add "with harm to none" after your spell.

[Garm]

BTW if your storing it for any length time consider refrigeration.

Otherwise the smell might prove to be rather challenging.

[starrykitten]

Haha, good to know. :)

I think there will be fresh ingredients, no worry.

As funny as it would be to have company over and poke through my fridge with bodily fluids in it... ;)

[Teresa]

I agree with those that have posted before me and can also attest to the power of using your own blood in a protection spell.

[Starlight*Rains]

I have read that some use sun dried used tampons for their work if fresh isn't available? Has anyone done this? Is it as effective? I've never used blood in my works but have thought about it. Unfortunately, my cycles are more elusive than Bigfoot. They come and go when they please! Any advice?

[taijiya]

Any fluids (menstrual or other blood, sexual excretions, etc.) may be dried and used in powdered form in spellwork with little to no effect on potency. And now I'm going to go bleach my brain of the image of "sun-dried tampons." :rotfl:

[Garm]

You can try spreading blood out on a mirror [or any flat surface]

When it dries scrape it off carefully, it is very easy to ground it into a powder

[starrykitten]

You could also always gather the supplies and then you'll be ready when your blood is fresh. :)

[fangedeshana]

I don't see anything wrong with using mentral blood in magic, specially a protection spell for yourself.

Certainly nothing unethical. Though, I know others squirm at the thought of it, I dont think its uneathical at all.

[Xander67]

blood is often used to represent fire...

it is the life force, the fuell that runs our bodies...

anyone who tells you it is not ok to use blood in magic is teaching the wrong classes....

[shuvanilu]

Bodily fluid in spells can really make them potent. Go for it, Girl! BTW, Nice tips on drying...I think I'll try the mirror route, as I think the neighbors might be a little freaked out seeing used tampons hanging off of my gazebo to dry:hahugh: ---shuvanilu

[Morrigan_Wolfwind]

Well, since it obviously doesn't hurt when you're bleeding at that time of the month (cramps notwithstanding), I say go for it.

I read once that people used to think women were either possessed by demons or were demons themselves, because we can bleed up to a week straight and stay perfectly healthy (albeit ready to hit the nearest person to look at them oddly), whereas men would most likely die after one day of bleeding from a wound.

And the funny part is, my Bio class is studying the female system, and my male classmates were asking the girls about handling bleeding while we sleep.

"Do you keep bleeding when you go to sleep? Wouldn't your clothes be all bloody and stuff?"

"It's called a PAD, [name of male classmate]. That's why we use them."

It's quite amusing, really.

[Sage WindMoon]

Well, since it obviously doesn't hurt when you're bleeding at that time of the month (cramps notwithstanding), I say go for it.

I read once that people used to think women were either possessed by demons or were demons themselves, because we can bleed up to a week straight and stay perfectly healthy (albeit ready to hit the nearest person to look at them oddly), whereas men would most likely die after one day of bleeding from a wound.

And the funny part is, my Bio class is studying the female system, and my male classmates were asking the girls about handling bleeding while we sleep.

"Do you keep bleeding when you go to sleep? Wouldn't your clothes be all bloody and stuff?"

"It's called a PAD, [name of male classmate]. That's why we use them."

It's quite amusing, really.

I am not surprised in the least. Lots of males are very unfamiliar with the whole process, and many are very squeamish about it too. I suppose some education could be provided to males at a young age to counteract this situation, but *I* was never exposed to any. I had to learn about this stuff from female friends.

[Sage WindMoon]

Oh - I forgot to say this: using menstrual fluid in spell work is pretty well established, and perfectly acceptable. No ethical issues, since it's yours. Even if it's not yours, I see no problem as long as the "donor" is aware and not opposed.

[starrykitten]

Thanks for all the tips!
For what it's worth, I wasn't worried about the ethics of using menstrual blood. I was more concerned about all the other aspects of the spell.

But, while we're on the topic...

For anyone who's squeamish about it or anything, I really suggest going on and trying it. I used my ritual and was happy with it.

I'm not particularly squeamish about menstrual blood in general, but using it magickally waas a first for me and I loved it. If you're nervous about it, then the bravery it takes to use it will just add that much to your magick. Plus, it's easy washed off, and nobody but you has to know. Move beyond the years when we would read those "embarrassing stories" colums in teen magazines which told endless stories about how terrible it was to have someone else see your box of tampons or whatever. Getting comfortable with your body is one of the bravest, most sacred gestures you can make to nearly any goddess. :)

[Romani Vixen]

I have used my blood a number of times for spells. Never menstral blood though.

My take...

Blood isn't used to protect. It is used to add uumph to the spell and link it with you. Witch bottles are an excelent protective item. The idea behind a witchs bottle is that it is supposed to be a little fake you, used to make any harmful spells against you go after it instead of you. The blood, along with the hair and nail shavings in the spell give it the "you" aspect. The tangles of strings, nails, glass, etc is what traps the energy.

I also wonder why one would use specifically menstral blood. I can see the logic in using it for fertility spells. But why for any other kind of spell? I personally prick my finger, it only takes a drop or two.

[Garm]

I also wonder why one would use specifically menstral blood. I can see the logic in using it for fertility spells. But why for any other kind of spell? I personally prick my finger, it only takes a drop or two.

I would expect that being part of the human reproductive cycle would give it that much more uuummphhh. Ova, discarded or not, supplements the bloods power for general purposes.

To quote Liber AL

"24. The best blood is of the moon, monthly: then the fresh blood of a child, or dropping from the host of heaven: then of enemies; then of the priest or of the worshippers: last of some beast, no matter what."

[CelticMoon11]

I'd prefer to stab my arm than squat and squeeze :lol: not that I'll be doing that any time soon :)

Nothing unethical though :)

[dragonprincess]

I admit, I admit i am a bit squeamish, probably too many years under societies thumb. But I appreciate and applaud any who would use it, it's a direct connect to the Goddess, in my opinion, it is the fluid of new life, it's what makes women the mothers, the child bearers, the continuators of our people.
In my opinion, it is more powerful, more sacred, than any other thing used in magick, period.
(no pun intended.)